Unsafe abortions, not carried out by qualified medical personnel, clearly represent a health risk for women.

The Treaty stipulates that European Union action shall respect Member State responsibilities for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care. The responsibilities of the Member States shall include the management of health services and medical care and the allocation of the resources assigned to them.

Considering the ethical, social and cultural dimension of abortions, it is for Member States to develop and implement their policies and legal frameworks.

The Commission does not have the intention to complement national health policies in this respect.